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resolution motion, 27 April 2026

On shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

Motion B-10-2026-0224 · (2026/2704(RSP))

on behalf of the ESN Group · Rapporteur: Tomasz Froelich

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

This resolution criticizes the Venezuelan Amnesty Law, saying it does not address structural problems and is used to avoid responsibility. It also condemns the US military action as a violation of sovereignty.

Key points

  1. Considers the US military action a clear violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and a dangerous precedent.
  2. Notes that only an authoritarian succession occurred, with institutions unchanged.
  3. Says the regime uses the Amnesty Law to avoid responsibility and relieve pressure without building judicial independence.
  4. Notes the law covers only certain periods since 1999, excluding other detentions and future acts.
  5. Notes the law excludes 200 military members and those who favored military action, and does not apply to offenses like corruption.
  6. Says the law aims to prevent recurrence, allowing continued criminalization of expression and protest.
  7. Considers that filing for amnesty implies accepting charges, portraying the regime as lenient, and does not fix fabricated accusations.

Who is affected

  • Venezuelan citizens, especially political opponents and military members, affected by the Amnesty Law's exclusions.
  • The Venezuelan regime and its institutions, which implement the law.

Figures and deadlines

  • 200 members of the military are excluded from the Amnesty Law.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 17 paragraphs

B100224/2026

European Parliament resolution on shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

(2026/2704(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the statement by acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, accompanying the announcement of the Amnesty Law (AL) on 30 January 2026,

– having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the unilateral military operation conducted by United States forces on 3 January 2026 resulted in the forced removal and transfer of Nicolas Maduro to US territory, ending the rule of a dictator responsible for the catastrophic economic collapse of Venezuela, widespread repression and the destruction of democratic institutions; whereas subsequently, Delcy Rodriguez, who had served as Vice President under Maduro, was sworn in as interim president;

B. whereas the government introduced an “Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence” (AL) in January 2026; whereas the National Assembly of Venezuela unanimously approved the AL on 19 February 2026;

C. whereas implementation of the AL is entrusted to courts and institutions that remain under regime control;

1. Considers that the unilateral military action by the United States constitutes a clear violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela, as enshrined in the UN Charter, and risks setting a dangerous precedent for unilateral military interventions by external powers against sovereign states;

2. Notes that there has only been an authoritarian succession in Venezuela and that all public institutions, the Supreme Court, the armed forces, the ruling Socialist Party and the security services remain unchanged;

3. Notes that the Venezuelan regime is using the AL to build a narrative that avoids state responsibility for the deprivation of liberty of citizens and to try to relieve international and domestic pressure without building judicial independence and prosecutorial accountability;

Read the rest (5 paragraphs)

4. Notes that the AL is limited to certain specific periods since 1999, leaving out arbitrary detentions and incidents from other periods; notes that the AL excludes acts that occur after the law’s entry into force, allowing new political persecutions;

5. Notes that the AL explicitly excludes 200 members of the military and anyone who has ‘favoured’ military action against Venezuela; notes that the AL does not apply to certain offenses, such as corruption, that have been used as a basis for detaining political opponents;

6. Notes that the AL aims to “prevent the recurrence of acts subject to amnesty”, allowing the Venezuelan regime to persist in criminalising freedom of expression and protest;

7. Considers that, more fundamentally, filing an amnesty application implies acceptance of the charges, and that, in this way, the Venezuelan regime is portrayed as lenient toward crimes allegedly committed by its citizens; considers that the AL does not change the structural problem of fabricated accusations and the use of the criminal justice system as a tool;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the National Assembly, government and acting president of Venezuela, and the Organisation of American States.